"We said we're sorry-"
"Quiet!" yelled Ayu, blushing.
After the girls dressed and returned them back to the rooms, the girls slept in Ayu's room, Lin not wanting to sleep with them for the night. After a long rest, it was time for them all to head to Koto. All the boys with the exception of Shidou were trying to apologize but the girls were having none of it, still angry at the boys perverted action.
Lin sigh "How much longer until we get to Koto?"
"Just a little bit more, I assure you all" Ayu assured them.
She was correct however because in just an hour, they neared the grand city of Koto. Between them and the capital, was a bridge, equipped with the latest defenses and many personnel. A guard on a nearby tower stops them as they near.
"Halt! Who goes there?" He yells out before realizing the empress was among . "Oh! Empress Ayu, please excuse my poor eyes-"
"It is alright soldier! Just open up the gate!"
He nods and does as he's told. The draw bridge opens, bridging the gap in between the group and Koto. They enter as eyes stare at them from all directions, scrutinizing everything about the four warriors while also looking at the viking in disgust, sending glares and nasty thoughts their way.
They cross the bridge until they come across another door. It opens up for them, allowing them entrance into the city.
It was grand, with buildings similar to the village but bigger and everywhere the eye can see. They pass many of its citizen who stare them them just like how the guard did, with awe and curiosity. They also stared at the Vikings just like how the guards did, with nothing but spite.
They continue to the palace until an apple hit Stigandr in the head.
One of his guards, a large, muscular man looks out at the crowd of people in anger. "Who did that?! Step out coward!-"
"Bo! Leave it be!" Stigandr commands the man.
"You can't be serious?! They just disrespected you!"
"And we're visiting a foreign region so I suggest you keep it in. I don't even care" the jarl says, having already experienced this same situation multiple times.
Bo grumbles as he reluctantly follows his leaders commands.
Shidou moves in next to Ayu on his horse. "Does that happen often?"
She nods. "It happens to both knight and vikings. Even to merchant and visitors from their lands"
"You have merchant and normal citizens visit other lands?"
"Yes. We implemented it a few months before you four arrived and it has been met with mixed results"
"Such as?"
Ayu sighs, recalling all the negatives the change came with. "Them being driven off. Beaten. In worst cases, killed. Bandit activity has also increased"
Wei moves in at Ayu's other side. "What about the positives?" he asks.
"Well, we started trade with each other but it's very small at the moment. Not many people are willing to buy produce or product from their enemy's land" the empress explains. "Stigandr. You okay?" she calls out to her colleague.
"Yeah, yeah" he said, waving his hand at her. "At least it isn't Ashfeld level"
"Is Ashfeld worst?"
Stigandr nods. "Yep. This is pretty tame in comparison to the knight's homeland. They'll be on you like a dog on meat if you even LOOK different than them"
"Intolerant aren't they?" Lin says.
Ayu sighs. "Sadly yes. Not only do they see us as enemies, but they also see us as defying their gods, dubbing us pagans"
"That's why we rarely have meeting in Ashfeld. It's too risky" Stigandr adds.
"Then how are we going to help in Ashfeld?" Guan asks.
"Well, considering you aren't viking nor samurai, they won't view you as enemies but will still won't warm up you instantly because of the culture difference. Also I suggest holding religious talk to yourself and don't argue about their gods"
They nod and continue on their way to the palace, passing multiple shops and many people who looked at them.
They make it to the imperial palace. It was a grand building, standing taller than any other they have seen. It was guarded by a wall that surrounded the palace and large main gate.
The guards at their post immediately recognize their ruler and open said gate, leading into a courtyard. They all part from their horses and go on foot, going further in the large fortress. They pass an archway, leading into a beautiful garden, floral of all kind with every possible color nature could offer in it. It was truly a sight to behold.
They enter the main building and are greeted by a short man. He was old, about in his fifties, with a head beginning to bald.
"My empress" he said, bowing before Ayu. He rises back up and takes in the sight of more people, of the vikings and four warriors. "Ah, you brought more visitors. The knight is currently waiting for you in the conference hall. May I bring a kettle of tea?"
"Yes, that would be very appreciated" and he went off.
"Come" Ayu directed. Stigandr and the four warriors follow while Stigandr's party is directed to their rooms.
"So what do we got to know about this knight?" Guan asks.
"For starters, his name is Holden Cross. He's a high skilled warrior, with very few brave enough to challenge him" Ayu states to them.
"He was also part of Apollyon's legion as her second command" Stigandr adds.
"Wait, then how can we trust him if he help start this war?" Lin questions. She doesn't want her or her team to be mislead into doing things because they helped a potential warmonger.
"We also questioned him on that when he suggested we should work to peace but he has proven to be trustworthy. He's trying to redeem himself for all the wrong he did. It's admirable" Ayu says.
They come up to the door leading to the conference room. Ayu pushes them open revealing a large room with a table in the middle with no chairs but mats on the floor. On one of those mats was the knight, Holden Cross.
He was clad in full iron armor with chain mail underneath the plates. His shoulder guards were iron lions. His helmet was off, revealing a shaved head and shaved beard. His eyes were that of a man hardened by war and dark sins but yet a strong, commanding general.
He stands as he see his two collaborators at the door but stops seeing the four warriors behind them. He sends them a scrutinizing gaze.
"Who are they?" he asks, distrusting of the new additions.
"Damn, not even going to ask how we are?" Stigandr replies sarcastically.
He shakes his head and send Ayu and Stigandr an apologetic gaze. "I am sorry. Were you two able to stop the raids?" he asks them.
"Not really. We didn't stop them" Ayu then points towards the four. "It was them. I think that should answer your first question"
He nods and makes his way to the warriors and shakes their hands. "Apologizes. It's rare we bring outsiders into our meetings is all"
Wei smiles and pats the man's back, telling the armored commander not to worry.
"So you all stopped Asmund's raiding party?"
"That we did but we did have have help from a local village" Guan informs Holden. The man nods and turns back to Ayu and Stigandr.
"That still begs the question of why they're here" he tells the two.
"Perhaps you all can talk about it over tea?" the short man from earlier interrupts.
Later...
"I see..." Holden says, digesting all that he's been told of who the warriors were. "And you two really think they can help?" he questions the two rulers.
"At this point, we need all the help we need" Ayu states. "With how the war is going, it's either one side wins or we all drive each other into the ground" she says gravely.
"I agree with that" Stigandr adds. "Besides... what are gonna lose letting them join in?"
"You're seriously asking that?" Holden sighs, annoyed. "Our lands are at stake, OUR PEOPLE are at stake. Every decision we make has to be thought-out or there will be consequences"
The four warriors sit by, watching the three rulers/ commanders talk about them as if they weren't in the room.
"If it's worth anything," Wei says, interrupting the three. "I promise you three we will work to our best abilities to bring peace" he simply states.
"We will work through whatever problems we face so that your lands and people become stronger" Guan then says.
"We'll make sure those who oppose peace will be dealt with" Lin states.
"...Just point us in the direction of the fight" Shidou simply says.
Ayu looks over the four. She senses their determination and bravery. It reminded her of countless soldiers she fought by with, filled of the same emotions as the four, only to face their end before living the rest of their lives. She sighs. "We are still giving you all a chance. You don't have to fight this war. You shouldn't feel the need to come into our war"
Stigandr and Holden nod in agreement, sharing Ayu's view.
The four take a few seconds to think it over. What Ayu said was true: they can still walk away. They don't need to fight. They all can just leave, leaving this war-torn land to its fate.
Yet they all looked deep inside themselves and found that it went against what they believed in and/or what they wanted.
They all had their reasons to fight and so they all wanted to stay.
Shidou shared glances from his teammates, already knowing what was in their heads. "No. We're staying"
The three leader nod in acknowledgement. Holden then chuckles. "Our war is so bad, we need a third party stepping in. That's pretty embarrassing if you think about it" he said, making the other leader chuckle as well.
The knight then turns his attention to the four warriors. He then stops, realizing that calling them "the four warriors" was getting repetitive.
"If you all are really staying, then your team needs a name" he says.
"The four dragons of the east!" Wei immediately says out loud, standing up and striking a pose.
They stay in silence for a few seconds before Lin dismissed the idea with a flat"No", causing the monk to shrink back in his seat, sad.
"The martial artist?" Guan suggest.
"That lame!" Wei says.
"The blades?" Lin then suggest.
"Not all of us use a blade Lin" Shidou states, indicating to Wei.
As the four were suggesting name after name, the three leaders look in amusement at them.
"How about... the Wu Lin?" Shidou says.
They all stop, pondering the idea. It came from their home, indicating towards their roots and sounded ear-appealing too. They all nod in agreement.
"We are the Wu Lin"